The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-10-13


of colossal figure Of Gautama Buddha,
he got q bird's-eye view of the whole
proceedings. Having recovered breath
after the climb, the spectator looks
around and observes that the first arrivals
have reached the wharf. A plump squat
figure, balanced on very fat little bay
pony, is the "Myook," ," or petty magistrate
and revenue collector. He wears the
gayest Of waistcloths Of the richest and
thickest silk, woven with very bright
colors into an intricate maze of squares,
trisngles and zigzags, interlaced in a
dog-tooth pattern. His iron-gray hair,
glossy with exuberant oil, is tied into
compact knot and brought to the very
top of his head, like the knob of teapot
cover, and is encircled with wisp of
the whitest Of white cambria handker-
chiefs. There is no mistaking him for
other than the great man of the country.
As he slides off his nag he is surrounded
by crowd Of sleek citizens, whose self
Importance will at first only allow them
to humble greetings and hint sugges-
| ti0ns; but, as arguments wax warmer,
dignity is laid aside and they shout and
| gesticulate like very schoolboys. After
numerous counter-proposals and voluble
discussion, the old Myo0k arranges that
| bamboo about foot long is fastened
in the centre Of small bamboo raft
moored, with large stones for anchors,
In the centre of the stream. The bam-
boo is stuck upright, and in 1t rests the
staff of the flag; the winning crew to be
that which removes the flag from the
socket. A large rice-boat Is anchored
out in the stream in q line with the
wharf and raft. This is for the judges
and umpire, while 'dug-outs" are sta
toned at intervals along both sides of
what is to be the course, to see that each
racing boat keeps to its own side and
that there Is no foul play.
| It is now three o'clock and high tide,
and something is seen like procession
of canoes coming up stream but on ap-
| preaching nearer it is seen to be but one,
and from its flsg-an English blue ensign
with the design of white pagoda
worked on the blue ground-the racing
boat Of Kyauktaw Is recognized. Its
length is enormous, being fully 100 feet,
but in breadth 1t is barely three feet: it
is, in fact, nothing more than very long
dug-out made of one tree, and 80 shallow
and light that 1t looks like mere straw
on the water. In the centre is plat
form flush with the top Of its sides |;
on this is slung large gong, around
which are gathered some half-dozen mu-
sical performers, whose notes are in
tended to instill and keep alive the
spirit of emulation in the eighty rowers
or paddlemen. These are seated two
abreast, twenty pairs being on each side
of the orchestra. Each rover is armed
with Q paddle made of nicely polished
dark wood, and each wears pink head
dress. The boat is steered with very
long, flat-bladed oar, fixed over the stern
and projecting some distance beyond 1t
guided to nicely and turned completely
round in it's own length.
Here comes a second similar boat bear.
ing the Wagun fag-an English red en-
sign with black beloo, or demon, en-
broidered on the red ground; lilac-colored
kerchiefs being the distinguishing head.
dress of its rowers. These two are the
great rivals. There are eight other racing
boats now present; but they are smaller
editions of the above, differing from them
in the number of paddles, the devices on
the flags, and in the color of the uniforms
The crowds lining the river banks begin
to evince signs of impatience. The friends
and sympathizers of one boat constantly
call out to their crew to know when the
start 10 to be made, and remind them that
they have to pull for the honor Of their
village and the smiles Of the girls; whilst
those OF the others chaff and criticise
their appearance and prospects with the
ladies.
At last the race IL to come OF; the
boats are brought up parallel to eact
other near midstream, and they are. tC
start by mutual consent. The coxswaiI
In each boat now chants what sounds
the crew, who are holding their paddles
upright, poised in the waller. TIE gonl
is now struck, with pause of slow TIM
ct first after each stroke; this serves Il
mark the time and get the rowers into
the correct swing, Is It 10 accompanied
by each of the crew making q sweep O
his paddle, passing 1t in circle above hi
head and down into the water, shoutin!
his war-cry of "Hayla heelai Hayli
heela r with each dip of the blade.
The strokes on the gong become NOR
rapid, the paddles keeping time will
them. Suddenly the helmsman of on,
boat throws up his arm and gives lout
shout, and both boats literally dart for
ward like birds. The beats OF the gonl
and the "Hayla heela" Of the rowers ar
repeated a. fast a. hand can strike ant
tongue can articulate; the whole eighty
paddles Of each boat keeping exact tim'
and dipping with the precision Of ,
machine. Soon after the start the bant
strikes up and some of the musician
begin to dance ON the centre platform
Az the winning flag 10 neared the rallyini
cry becomes succession of shrieks. Th'
Wagun canoe leads by foot or two
but the Kyauktaw coxswain gives +,
shout Of encouragement to his men, ant
makes two rapid sweeps with the oa
which serves e. Q rudder; this actin)
like the screw Of . steamer, brings boil
boats level. They are now within q few
inches Of tho dag-raft, and II seems as /
they VIII run down both Il and eacl
other. The dancer on the PROV of tn
Kyauktaw boat has made grab ct ant
succeeds In grasping the coveted flag thi
he waves in triumph over his head, an,
apufect roar of applause arises from
the spectators on the banks. All disci
pltne on board 10 now at an end, for tn
whole crew are capering about at tn
risk Of upsetting their craft-dancing
shouting, singing, kicking up their leg
behind and before, and slapping them
selves and each other in excess Of 1oy
paddles, long hair, and handkerchief
flying shout In al directions testify I,
the delight Of their owners ct having
after . very severe struggle, won th
race. 30 equal . contest was Il that ha,
~ tho unn - the pI0W Of Tia Wanun hoa